Updates on Coronavirus

Dear students,

I hope everyone is enjoying the start of summer and staying safe and healthy. At Dean, our entire Community remains hard at work as we continue to make plans to open our campus for the Fall 2020 semester. 

We are developing a comprehensive operational plan addressing all critical areas including health, safety, facility redesign, academics and campus life. This plan will be shared with you after July 1, 2020. 

Fall semester classes are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 and will run through Saturday, December 12, 2020 for a 15-week semester. Classes will be held on Monday, September 7, 2020 (Labor Day) and Monday, October 12, 2020 (Columbus Day). 

On-campus instruction will conclude on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 when students depart for Thanksgiving break. There will be no classes from Wednesday, November 25, 2020 through Friday, November 27, 2020. Classes will resume online for one week beginning Monday, November 30, 2020 followed by final exams which will take place virtually and conclude on December 12, 2020.  

Dean College intends to bring students back in a phased approach following extensive health and safety protocols. Move-in dates for returning students are as follows:

• Students who reside greater than 500 miles from campus
  • Saturday, August 29, 2020
• Students who reside 91-499 miles from campus
  • Sunday, August 30, 2020
• Students who reside 0-90 miles from campus
  • Sunday, August 30, 2020 (last name A-K)
  • Monday, August 31, 2020 (last name L-Z)

Specific instructions and information pertaining to move-in times will be sent out at the end of July to each student’s Dean College email address.

Fall 2020 electronic tuition bills will be made available on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. A link to the billing site will be emailed to all students and parents. Students should use their Dean email login credentials to access the site. Fall bills are due Friday, July 17, 2020. 

Information regarding Spring semester will be provided when the Fall semester commences. Presently, the start of Spring semester is scheduled to begin on January 19, 2021.

The entire Dean Community looks forward to you continuing your college journey as you make Dean College your second home and experience The Dean Difference each and every day. 

Warm Regards,

I hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. We certainly miss having you on campus and cannot wait for your return. During this pandemic, I have taken great pride in Dean’s ability to come together as a family and offer our students a virtual, yet personal education. What I have learned in my 25 years as President of Dean College, is that when you couple the vital importance of planning and preparedness with the resiliency of the Dean Community, even difficult times see positive outcomes. 

Now that spring semester is behind us and you are taking a break from your academic work, it is time to turn to the Fall 2020 semester. Our plan is to welcome you back to campus, with the health and safety of our Community as our foremost concern. As you all know, we are fortunate to be in a small, suburban setting with an expansive campus that allows us great flexibility as it relates to class size, the number of students in dining and residence halls and structuring our academic calendar to meet our needs. I am confident in Dean’s ability to provide safe social distancing and a strong academic and residential experience.   

More specifically, Dean has a long-standing Work Team that responds to and plans recovery strategies for any incident that impacts our campus operations. Since March, this group has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation, meeting regularly to design our recovery planning protocols and formatting specific safety standards. We are establishing multiple operating procedures to address the academic and campus life enhancements that will be central to our campus operations for Fall 2020 and beyond.

As you know, Dean has key partnerships with Harvard Maintenance for our cleaning operations and Sodexo on dining services. We are working very closely with both partners on a plan for fall. Harvard Maintenance is one of the largest providers of managed services with impeccable quality credentials. Sodexo is a global company servicing numerous colleges and large organizations around the world and has been hard at work creating dining center safety standards including meal preparation, staffing, seating, serving and ordering. As a reminder, we have a close working relationship with the Town of Franklin and the Milford Regional Medical Center. 

With the recent announcement by the Governor of Massachusetts on a phased re-opening of our state, Dean will continue to develop and share our plans for your return to campus. 

Dean will be prepared, resilient and able to continue to deliver to you The Dean Difference as we have for 155 years! I hope you enjoy a great summer.  We will provide frequent updates over the next few months and look forward to greeting you all back on campus. 

Warm Regards,

Dr. Rooney

Dean College has been working diligently on a plan for students to retrieve their belongings from campus in accordance with guidance from the Governor’s office. In order to keep the process smooth and organized and placing emphasis on health and safety, we will begin with a staggered approach beginning the week of Tuesday, May 26th for Massachusetts residents only. We will then continue the following week with additional states. We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation, patience and understanding as we work through the current global health crisis. Please visit our Q&A page under the Student Life section for further details about the move out process and to reserve your move out time.  

Dean College is planning to welcome students back to campus for Fall 2020. We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate our traditional Fall Opening. 

We will communicate further information the week of May 18th once given further guidance from the Governor’s office and public health agencies.

Dean has a strong tradition of delivering an academic program surrounded by unparalleled support services.  We are well-positioned to adjust to all situations and we are confident in our ability to continue to deliver a highly supportive and personalized learning experience consistent with our 155-year history.

Learn more about Visit Options to Dean College.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Governor of Massachusetts has extended his Stay At Home advisory to remain in effect until Monday, May 18, 2020. 

In accordance with this advisory, we are unfortunately unable to allow students to retrieve belongings until such time as the Governor’s order is suspended. 

Dean College will communicate with students and families specific details for retrieval once a final plan has been determined.  

Our continued goal is to provide a safe and organized process to retrieve your belongings.  We understand your concerns and sincerely empathize with what everyone is going through. We are grateful for your understanding and patience as we continue to navigate this unprecedented situation.  

Please take care of yourselves and one another during these difficult times.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Dean Community,

As Dean College continues to navigate this unprecedented situation, we are steadfast in prioritizing the health and wellness of our students, staff and faculty. 

After moving to an online learning format this morning, Monday, March 23, 2020 our hope was to bring students back to campus and resume in-person classes later this Spring. Unfortunately, after today’s announcement from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and the evolving conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dean College will remain in an online/virtual learning environment through the end of this semester, May 7, 2020.    

Please be sure to check your Dean student email daily and visit this web page for any further communications. 

Here are answers to some of the questions you may have:

For more, please visit our Questions and Answer web page. 

What are the revised dates for this academic semester?

Our schedule for the remainder of the semester begins today, Monday, March 23, 2020 with the last day of classes on Thursday, May 7, 2020. There will be no separate final exam period. 

Is Dean College closing its campus?

We are moving to an online learning environment for the Spring semester. Though classes will not be meeting in person, the College will remain open with limited, essential personnel. Members of our administrative staff are working remotely.

Can I meet with college personnel on campus?

College personnel are available to answer students’ questions virtually using email, telephone, and virtual meeting technologies. However, to maximize social distancing, Dean College is not conducting in-person meetings on campus.

When will students have access to their residence hall rooms?

With the travel restrictions currently in place from the Governor of Massachusetts, no student will be allowed on campus before April 15, 2020. We will contact you via your student email with additional details once travel is deemed advisable by state and local health officials. 

Will the College reduce spring 2020 charges and aid?

Yes.  We understand that you have questions related to prorated adjustments for spring 2020 room and board charges and related loan and aid programs. We will calculate the impact for each student. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks as we are committed to doing this right and it will entail the review of every student’s record by members of our student financial planning team.

Will on-campus events still take place?

Dean College has cancelled all on-campus events until further notice and will provide further updates accordingly. 

Is Dean College cancelling Commencement?

As we shared earlier today with the Class of 2020, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Commencement Exercises and related activities to a time in which we can safely convene as a community. We reassure everyone that the College is committed to holding Commencement ceremonies on campus. We will work to finalize and communicate these details as soon as possible. 

Who should be contacted with further questions?

• Academic Affairs: academicaffairs@dean.edu
• Advising: advising@dean.edu
• Residence Life: reslife@dean.edu
• Student Financial Planning and Services: SFP@dean.edu

These days have not been easy—with decisions that have been beyond difficult. Please know that your College will be with you throughout these challenging days. Dean College is grateful for the spirit, willingness and attitude of our entire Community as we navigate these uncharted waters. I am proud of every student, member of our faculty and staff and our partners. I am confident that our Community will emerge stronger. 

Warm regards,

Dr. Rooney

Dean College remains open with essential personnel and modified services. However, out of an abundance of caution the campus is closed to outside visitors at this time.

Message From the President

Dear Dean Community, 

Dean College continues to manage the current situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our emphasis is and always will be on the health, safety and well-being of our community. There are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Dean College.

At the close of our extended Spring Break on Friday, March 20, 2020, the College will be suspending all in-person, on-campus classroom instruction and moving to a virtual/online learning environment from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3, 2020. The College will make the decision on whether we need to continue online classes by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. 

Here are answers to some of the questions you may have:

What are the revised dates for this academic semester?

• Since the College extended Spring Break by one week, our schedule for the remainder of the semester will begin on Monday, March 23, 2020 and the last day of classes will be on Thursday, May 7, 2020. There will be no final exam period. Please note that Monday, April 20 will become a regular class day and not a vacation day as originally scheduled.
• Any exams or assignments due the week of March 16 - 20 will be rescheduled. Individual faculty members will establish those dates.

Is Dean College closing its campus?

• No. We are moving to a virtual/online learning environment until further notice. Though classes will not be meeting in person, the College will remain open with essential personnel and modified services available. 

Can I meet with college personnel on campus?

• College personnel are available to answer students’ questions virtually using email, telephone, and virtual meeting technologies. However, to maximize social distancing, Dean College is not conducting in-person meetings on campus at this time.

When will the College resume on-campus instruction?

• Our goal is to resume normal class operations sometime this semester pending public health guidance. However as this is a fluid situation, we cannot provide an exact date at this time. 

Why is Dean moving to an online format?

• We feel that given current circumstances, moving to an online format is the most prudent decision. 

Will students have access to their residence hall rooms?

• Students will only be allowed on campus if they need to collect materials that they did not take with them over Spring Break (i.e. laptop, textbooks, medication). We will provide the following days and times for residence hall access: Wednesday, March 18, Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, from 11:00am – 6:30pm. If you have an extenuating circumstance that requires an alternate day or time, please email your request to reslife@dean.edu.
• When picking up items, everyone will be asked to limit their time to no more than 30 minutes and each student will be permitted to have only one additional family member join them. As social distancing is very important and in response to the Governor of Massachusetts request that there be no gatherings larger than 25 at a time, you may be asked to wait dependent on the number of those currently in the residence hall.
• We have specific locations on campus for you to check into your halls. Staff will be at each location to assist with this process. We are hopeful that we will be able to reopen our residence halls, therefore students are not expected to remove all belongings from their rooms.
• Until further notice, we will not accept packages mailed to individual students. Packages already in route will be stored.

Will the College reduce any spring 2020 charges?

• After we determine whether we continue online for the semester or return to campus, we will calculate the potential impact on Spring semester charges and aid for each student.

How will online learning work?

• Dean faculty are in the process of adjusting courses to a virtual/online environment. As always, we are dedicated to delivering the best experience possible for our students. This experience will vary by course, and every online classroom will be structured for student success. The faculty understand that students may not have access to books and resources which are still in residence halls on campus, and they are modifying curriculum with that knowledge.
• Dean students have online availability to MyCourses and have been using that format since their arrival at Dean. Our faculty will be working from the MyCourses format for every course.
• Details regarding specific courses will be sent on Thursday, March 19, via Dean student email accounts. 

What if a student has never taken an online course before?

• Every student has been utilizing MyCourses and large numbers of our students have previously taken an online course. For those who have not, we encourage you to reach out to your Success and Career Advisor at advising@dean.edu for more information. As always, our faculty will be with our students each step of the way and will go above and beyond to ensure their success. 

Will on-campus events still take place?

• Dean College has cancelled all on-campus events through Friday, April 3, 2020 and will provide further updates accordingly.
• The NCAA has cancelled all remaining spring sports, so all spring sports at Dean are cancelled.
• The spring performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie has been cancelled for April 1 – 5, 2020. Additional details will come directly to students in the School of the Arts and the Palladino School of Dance from Dean Arentsen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
• At this time, Dean College is not cancelling our Commencement Exercises scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2020. 

Who should be contacted with further questions?

• Academic Affairs: academicaffairs@dean.edu
• Advising: advising@dean.edu
• Residence Life: reslife@dean.edu
• Student Financial Planning and Services: SFP@dean.edu

This situation is unprecedented and has presented obstacles for each of us to overcome. The Dean Community has and will continue to work tirelessly to provide academic excellence, unmatched support and constant execution of The Dean Difference. 

I wish we were not in the current situation and that the COVID-19 environment was improving. But unfortunately, this is the reality right now. We are bringing our collective wisdom and innovative thinking to make these difficult decisions. Please remember, our faculty and staff are here, on site and remotely, dealing with unprecedented challenges while always keeping The Dean Difference at the forefront of their choices and our institutional decisions. 

We are committed to completing the Spring 2020 semester with inspiration from our College motto, Dr. Oliver Dean’s family saying, Forti et Fideli Nihil Difficile: “To the strong and faithful nothing is difficult.” May these words provide comfort and serve as a reminder that Dean has been built on a solid, unwavering foundation. May our faith in each other as friends, family and colleagues carry us to the other side of these difficult days.

All my best,

Dr. Rooney

Dean College continues to assess the current situation and will have further updates for our community the morning of Tuesday, March 17, 2020. 

There are currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Dean College.

Out of an abundance of caution, Dean College is suspending all athletic activity for spring sports until further notice. All student-athletes are in contact with their respective coaches. This is effective immediately. 

At Dean College, we are working daily to adjust to the shifting landscape and information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our focus is and will always be on the health, safety and well-being of our community of students, faculty and staff. While there are no confirmed cases in the Dean Community for COVID-19, the College is following the guidelines outlined by Governor Baker, the Massachusetts Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Out of an abundance of caution, Dean College has made the following decisions:

• Spring Break Extension for Students - The College will extend Spring Break through Sunday, March 22 and delay the return of students until that date. This extension of Spring Break means that the residence halls will not be open. Students who are unable to return to their homes at this time due to travel restrictions or other significant constraints, should contact Residence Life at reslife@dean.edu. Students who have additional housing questions should contact Residence Life. 
• Offices Open - All administrative offices remain open. Faculty and staff will be on campus and available during the extended Spring Break.
• Exploring Online Learning - During the extended Spring Break, the College will follow the developments of COVID-19 and plan for the possibility of online learning.
• Campus-wide Events - All campus-wide events with an attendance of 50 or more are cancelled through March 22, including Discover Dean Day. New event dates will be announced.  Plans for modified School of the Arts and Palladino School of Dance auditions on Saturday, March 21 will be communicated directly to those registered.
• Athletics - The College is reviewing the Spring season schedule regarding athletic games and travel. Any modifications will be announced.

We thank your for your patience and support as we implement these initiatives. It is times such as these that bring us together and show the strength of The Dean Difference.

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, we ask our entire community of students, families, staff and faculty to check this site daily for updates. 

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Dean College.  Dean College is requiring a 14-day self-quarantine of all students, staff or faculty who have recently visited any country designated as a risk assessment level of two or higher for COVID-19 by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). These countries are:

Level Two

• Japan

Level Three

• China
• Iran 
• Italy
• South Korea

Dean will continue to follow CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines for prevention and management of the virus. We will continue to provide daily updates and take proactive measures regarding cleaning and additional safety measures.

There are currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Dean College.

As a precautionary measure, Dean College is currently undergoing a deep cleaning while our students are away for spring break. This cleaning will be conducted by trained personnel and will entail disinfecting all contact surfaces such as knobs, switches and handles along with the following types of areas and equipment:

• Bathrooms
• Classrooms
• Common areas
• Dance equipment
• Elevators
• Gym equipment
• Handrails
• Labs
• Locker rooms
• Shared cubicles
• Showers

In addition, Dean has provided all resident students with disinfectant wipes to assist with cleaning surfaces in their rooms. It is always best to have basic cleaning supplies on hand, so we are recommending for students to consider purchasing items over break if possible. 

Please continue to follow all best practices regarding preventative measures such as washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, wiping down surfaces with disinfectant wipes, getting adequate rest and staying well hydrated. 

There are no additional updates at this time. Please review the below information. There are currently no confirmed cases at Dean College. 

Dean College takes the health, safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff very seriously. We are closely monitoring developments in the situation pertaining to Coronavirus (COVID-19), following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of State, and the World Health Organization. 

We are in contact with all students currently studying abroad. As a precautionary measure, Dean College is asking those students traveling outside of the United States for Spring Break to please make us aware. Please email Dave Drucker, Dean of Students at ddrucker@dean.edu with your travel destination(s). Additionally, any student that chooses to cancel their international travel for Spring Break will receive no housing charge for remaining on campus. 

As has been reported, COVID-19 presents with similar symptoms as the flu such as a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. We encourage everyone to practice healthy behaviors recommended during any cold and flu season:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• If traveling by plane or public transit, sanitize seat, armrest and trays with disinfecting wipes.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Seek medical care if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get adequate rest.
• Stay well-hydrated. 

You may also check the following for more specific information on staying well, and about travel advisories: Centers for Disease Control website; U.S. State Department Travel Advisories. As was discussed prior to departure, all travelers should be registered with the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Dean will continue to follow CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines for prevention and management of the virus. We will continue to provide updates as needed and take proactive measures regarding cleaning and additional safety measures.